First off, the idea that the very existence of the universe proves the existence of a surpreme being is absurd. There are many different ways the universe could have come into existence. One very interesting theory is proposed by Lee Smolin in his excellent book "Life of the Cosmos," which I recommend to anyone interesting in this sort of thing. The Big Bang theory is full of holes and may not even be correct, or may be far different from we suspected. It is more than likely we exist in our own little region of spacetime, with its own laws and physics and properties of particles and so forth, but then there are many other universes with different laws and so forth. Religion, very simply, was created to explain a world that was full of unexplainable things that happened daily (like the Sun coming up). The only logical conclusion they could have possibly have come to was there were superior beings who made everything work the way it did. Now that we know how our planet, our solar system, our Sun, our galaxy (well most of the way), and we have a fair understanding of our region of the universe religion is being pressed into little niches to try to find things that can account for a God (like the details of the Big Bang). We now understand our world, so belief in God isn't a matter of proof, it's a matter of person choice. Ary you more comfortable thinking there is a logical being behind all existence? If so, go right ahead and believe.

-Paul

: : Someone or something has caused the religious idea to exist in the world. : : The concept of one god is odd for the religious belief systems that exist. : : Things have happened that cannot in anyway be explained. All this points to someone or something having influence over man and the universe. : : I therefore believe in God. The question is whether the existance can be proved to everyone's satisfaction here in this universe.

: I couldn't disagree with you more. Sure, the idea of religious belief came from somewhere, and I think that somewhere is the root of the problem. Looking back through time and seeing the evolution of religion is an amazing thing. Early caveman drawings of godlike creatures, mythlogical tales, Ancient indian practices, all show that humans have, throughout their existence, have attributed "unknown" phenomena to so higher being(s). The idea of one God (monotheism) is hardly a new concept. In the second millenium B.C. people all over the Western world worshipped Enlil and Ninlil (similar to God and Jesus) for nearly two thousand years. But of course, now we think we have the right God....

: To rest your beliefs in the few unknowns in the world that might keep the concept of God alive is a shaky faith, and most certainly one that will be disappointed time and again. It's time to stop wishing it points to some higher being and actually find out if it does.